CIS105: Computer Applications & Information Systems Lect. 6 Pt. 1 ​

Chapter 6: System Software ​

6.1: System Software Overview ​

System Software:

• Enables the Operating System
• Controls memory, input and output, and manages filing system
• Runs essential processes automatically
• Controls the physical hardware so that applications software can work
• If your computer is running, your system software is working

6.2: Starting the Computer ​

What happens when you press the power button:

• System searches for Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
• Firmware, locates computer hardware
• SS loads the platform (OS) into the computer’s memory: Booting
• Powering up the computer for the first time: Cold Boot
• Restarting a computer: Warm Boot
• Computer will ask for login and load your profile
• Preferences, themes, styles, and types of resources set up by the user
• Registry loads settings made by the user
• Screen savers, appearance, and personalizations

6.3: Administering Application Software ​

• When a user clicks on an application, the application info moves from the hard drive to RAM (Random Access Memory)
• SS and OS make sure application software works correctly

6.4: Memory Management ​

• Computer memory allocation can be compared to a farmer allocating water for crops
• Virtual memory: The technique of breaking large files down from the hard drive into smaller, more manageable files that fit in RAM
• Smaller files called Pages
• If the pages exceed RAM storage, OS will store temporary copies of pages to hard drive
• Swap Files: When pages exceed RAM storage, OS swaps pages between hard drive and RAM Ask yourself: Does your business need new computers or new computer parts?
• New computer: $800-1500
• Upgraded RAM: $50-$200
• Upgraded Hard Drive:$40-$100

6.5: Interfacing and Utilities ​

SS in the form of an OS must serve as a translator for both the computer and end user

• Monitor: displays and renders output an end user can understand
• GUI
• Icon: A small pictogram on the desktop that a user clicks with a mouse
• Window: A GUI unto its own
• Device Drivers: allow input and output devices to operate properly
• The background displayed on the monitor is considered the desktop environment, or "desktop" for short
• Active Window: the window that the user is currently using

6.6: File Management Systems ​

Based on a hierarchy of folders that contain computer files. File management systems are searchable and provide information on files:

• File Name
• File Creation Date
• File Modification Date
• Location of the file
• Who created or modified a file
• File size
• In business, it is important to establish your file management system early

6.7: System Software Utilities ​

• Tracks: concentric circular bands
• Sectors: Tracks that are separated into wedges
• Defragmentation: Organizes + and – charges to the innermost tracks of the disk to reduce the amount of time it takes the R/W arm to find the info

6.8: Antivirus Utilities ​

Antivirus Utilities: System software that identifies known viruses to block them from entering and infecting a computer system

• Utilizes a database of known viruses to cross reference against each incoming file
• Subscription service: Norton Antivirus and McAfee VirusScan

6.9: System Updates ​

• To compensate for OS inadequacies, OS offer a system software utility called system update
• Patches sent from Microsoft (or Mac) via the Internet to a user’s computer